Heart valves - superior view
There are four valves located in the heart. Each valve consists of
either two or three folds of thin tissue. When closed, the valve
prevents blood from flowing backwards to its previous location.
When open the valve allows blood to flow freely. Valve problems can
occur because of congenital abnormalities, rheumatoic fever,
infection, or other causes.
Review Date: 6/8/2008
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor
of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts
General Hospital.
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